06.02.2025 14:21
The European Union has approved the market introduction of flour moth larvae treated with ultraviolet processing as food, allowing for their use with a label indicating allergy risks.
The European Union (EU) Commission has approved the marketing of powdered and ultraviolet-treated mealworm larvae as food and their use in certain products.
The regulation prepared by the EU Commission, which allows the marketing of ultraviolet-treated mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae as a new food, has been published in the EU Official Journal. Thus, ultraviolet-treated mealworm larva powder has been added to the EU's list of new foods, and its sale in the EU market has been permitted starting from February 10.
MEALWORM LARVA POWDER FOUND TO BE SAFE
In this context, until a new company obtains authorization, the French company Nutri Earth will be able to market bread, cakes, pasta, processed potato products, cheese and dairy products, and jams containing mealworms for 5 years. The labels of these products will clearly state that they contain ultraviolet-treated mealworm larvae and may cause allergic reactions.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found the ultraviolet-treated mealworm larva powder to be safe in 2023, stating that it could be included in bread, cakes, pasta, processed potato products, cheese and dairy products, and jams under appropriate conditions and usage levels. The EU had previously approved the use of various insects in food. In this context, the use of frozen, dried, or powdered mealworm larvae, crickets, and grasshoppers in food has been permitted in certain amounts.